I adjusted my kickdown linkage so that the throttle plate is fully open when I floor the pedal. The shift into 2nd is very soft, and the shift to 3rd can barly be felt, and at times the engine "flairs" between gears. I adjusted it back to where it was, so now the shifts are a little more firm again. However, I'm right back to where I was: the carb does not go to WOT: it only opens about 3/4 of the way. Anything I'm over looking?

Odd. So your transmission kickdown has less travel than your throttle? Thats weird. Does your linkage adjust at the carb and at the tranny? Sounds like there might be an adjustment point out of whack.

Reed

No, only adjustment is under the carburetor. I have made sure the kick down lever is all the way forward: I used the spring attached to the front of the trans to make sure it was when I adjusted it on the shaft (per shop manual).

Beware; the tranny levers come in different ratios - distance between the two holes. That has messed me up more than once .
I adjust at WOT; hold the throttle wide open, pull the KD linkage all the way back, then adjust the rod to fit. This will ensure you've got full pressure at WOT.

Hey, I forgot about the two different ratios. The transmission I have in the car now is from a '73 Dart, and I'm still using the original '72 linkage. I think you may have just solved my problem sixinthehead.

*hijacks thread*

Thanks, that was exactly what I was looking for when I asked about converting to automatic.

Note to self: grab the throttle lever with the tranny kick down off of the donor truck...

_________________
My truck is a Frankenstein creation
Built from the dead carcasses of others
And brought BACK TO LIFE!

Is there not a slipjoint adjustment where the KD rod connects to the trans lever at the trans?

_________________
I've been calling it as i see it for my entire life and that's not about to change. Take it or leave it.

All of the ones that I've done recently (4) have only had the adjustment up top by the throttle linkage. The transmission end connection is not adjustable. Maybe you're thinking about the shifter linkage adjustment(?)

There are so many different variations, it's hard to keep up.
I have seen "slipjoint" adjusters at the trans end, but usually on one piece linkages (trucks and vans). Anything's possible though. Some linkages had as many as three adjustments on them .

From what I have seen slant six kickdown linkages fall into several groups-

1960-1966- rod-operated carb throttle. These had only one adjustment point.

67-mid 70s- one adjustment point at the carb.

77-up- all two barrel carbs had the adjustment at the transmission, and most one barrel carbs from this time also had it at the transmission.

However, I do recall coming across several oddball linkages that had an adjustment at the carb and tranny.

Reed

Sorry, that was some of my V8 juice dribbling out. Most slants have a straight shot at the trans, obviating the need for 3 piece linkages.
The most I've seen on a slant is 2 pieces to "turn the corner" from the carb, and the last super-six I did was one piece with adjuster at the trans, like Reed says.

_________________
O==\=/==O

"A mechanic is Somebody."
- Jim Preston